Outrider Hobbies

On the Second Day of Christmas...

2010-12-26T18:29:00.002-07:00

Sorry for the delay everyone. I didn't realize the complexity I'd added, and then of course I got caught up in the Holiday. But don't worry, I didn't forget.

So, first off, I want to thank all of you for a fantastic year. I have had a lot of fun, a lot of trial, but I'm proud of what I've accomplished, and I'm grateful for your support. If it weren't for many of you, I never would have continued after this years unpleasantness.

I've got some big plans for next year, such as trade shows and conventions, and I hope you will all be willing to be a part of it. Also we are planning on our second bag to get released soon, and some new lasering ventures. Rest assured, I'll keep you all informed.

So, without further delay, I present this year's winner of the Outrider Hobbies Christmas Present:

Jeremy Harder of O'Fallon, IL

Jeremy is the winner of a Force Operations: Ranger bag complete with a set of foam cut to his specifications.

But wait! There's more!

Jim Leitzel of Columbus, OH is a winner as well. He gets a set of foam to fit in a Ranger Bag, unfortunately though, no bag.

"Is that all?" you ask. Of course not!

The first 10 people to respond to this email will get two troop trays of their choosing (40 Troops, 30 Troops, 21 Large, or 15mm Infantry).

So, in closing, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Thank You again.

Thanks,
Bryan Wade
Outrider Hobbies

PS - Watch for the New Years day sale. I think it will go great for those new armies you all got for Christmas.

Small Snafu In The Christmas Present

2010-12-25T02:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry for this not being the exciting post you wanted to see, but I ran into a problem with sorting out who was subscribed to the mailing list and who was following on Twitter and Facebook. I will figure it out in the morning and post hopefully before I go to work. (Yes, the normal job is making me work on Christmas.)

Thanks for Understanding,

Bryan Wade
Outrider Hobbies

Outrider Hobbies Christmas Present 2010

2010-12-06T13:47:00.004-07:00

Well fellow gamers, it's that time of year again. Time for the Outrider Hobbies Christmas present!

If you participated last year, I hope you'll be interested again this year, as it's going to be BIGGER! This year we aren't just giving away foam, We are giving away enough foam to fill a Force Operations Ranger Bag. Yes that's right, you get the bag too! And who knows, if we get a good response, we may even give more than one set away. So tell all your friends.

This year will be a bit more complicated, but not much, and it still doesn't cost anything. So, what are the rules then...

1) Sign up for the Outrider Hobbies Newsletter. Don't worry, we won't spam you with a lot of useless junk. Moving forward however, we are going to be offering email only specials. So if you want to stretch your gaming dollar as far as possible, you are going to want to be on that list. You can find it on the right hand side of the screen. You may also sign up for the mailing list by registering at http://www.foamcorps.com/.

If you are already on the list, just make sure you complete part two.

2) Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook. Again, not for tons of spam, but there will be exclusive offers there as well. Also more updates about where you can find us, great places to play, and great people to play against. Again, you can do either of those on the right hand side of the screen.

3) Be good this Christmas season. Like last year, we don't really have a way to enforce this, but it doesn't hurt to remind you that Santa is keeping notes. Just saying.

So, really that's all you have to do. Nothing crazy. No purchase necessary. Just giving something back to the gaming community.

On Christmas Eve (sometime after I finish prepping the presents under the tree for my boys) I will send out an email through the mailing list announcing the winner.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@outriderhobbies.com.

Oh, and if you'd like to see last year's winner, check out this thread.

New Home For Outrider Hobbies

2010-09-20T17:02:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone, as you may have heard on the Chance of Gaming Podcast, there is a new home for Outrider Hobbies, www.foamcorps.com. This is until we can get a new site built, but hopefully will tide everyone over until then.

If you placed an order that has not been filled yet from the old store, don't worry, I still have the old store active and have your information. No orders have been lost in this move.

Also, for those of you that have placed orders, I am planning on cutting the trays this week. I have been unable to get to the laser due to it being moved to a new location. The electrician should have it hooked up again and ready to go by the end of the week. Do not worry, we have not forgotten about you.

Also, don't forget, bag orders are still being taken. I am planning on turning in the order either the last couple of days of September, or the first week of October. So don't delay, or I may not be able to get you the color that you want.

Finally, don't forget, there are still a couple of weeks left for the founders month sale. Get 15% off your Foam Corps trays when you use the Founder2010 promo code. Yes it works on the new site.

Any questions or problems on the new site, please email me at info@outriderhobbies.com and I will answer you as soon as I can.

Happy Gaming!

Founder's Month and Force Ops: Ranger Preorders

2010-09-07T00:37:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone!

What an interesting couple of weeks it's been. Needless to say, we aren't going anywhere just yet, why should we?

So, with that out of the way, as I announced on the Chance of Gaming Podcast September is Founder's Month here at Outrider Hobbies. What is "Founder's Month"? Basically, my birthday is in September, because of that I'm giving you all a discount. For the rest of September, whenever you use the code Founder2010 you will get 15% off of all foam trays. Just visit us at www.outriderhobbies.com/store for all your foam needs.

In addition, you can now pre-order the new Force Operations bag, the Ranger. The bag is available in a variety of colors, red, blue, green, black, plus a variety of camouflage colors. You can order the bag here. Unfortunately due to the pre-order status of the bag, and the cost of the bag itself, the Founder's Month discount does not apply.

Thanks for visiting!

I Just Want to Say This

2010-08-18T01:58:00.002-07:00

Well, it's been a crazy ride the last couple of years. I'm still working, getting a few orders ready to go out tomorrow, and I have to get more work on the new/updated site before it is ready to go.

Anyways, I had an interesting experience yesterday. I went to show my wares at a store I had not been to in almost two years. (Long story, not going to repeat it here. Maybe not ever.)

But it got me thinking about something a gaming friend said to me when all the nonsense got going.

"Just stick to your principles and you'll be fine."

I've tried to do that. Really. I mean it.

It seems to be working. I'm still a mess, and having to do a lot of this on my own is HARD! I honestly could not do it without my friends, my family, or ALL of the people who have given me a chance. I hat to use the term "customer", even though it is the correct one. And "clients" sounds to stuffy. But rest assured, I am grateful for the fact that I have a chance, and that it seems to be working.

Thank you. And to the man who gave me that piece of advice, I'm trying still. Please bear with me.

Major Updates to the Site

2010-08-16T00:44:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone. I will be working on the site tomorrow. I'm hoping to have it ready for new business as well, but I can't promise it.

Don't forget that in the mean time you can go to www.outriderhobbies.com/store to make any purchases.

Thanks

Let's get ready for GEN CONNNNNN!!!!

2010-08-04T12:00:00.002-07:00

That's right, by way of a small miracle, Outrider Hobbies is going to Gen Con 2010. TheWarStore.com has graciously asked us to send them some promotional fliers and some of our product to show off to the masses. It was a great honor just to be asked.

It has however been a whirlwind flight just to get everything ready to go, and all I sent was a couple of the Force Ops bags, some foam, 500 fliers, and 4 banners. I hate to imagine what it will be like if I go for real next year.

Anyways, if you'd like to check out our stuff, please stop by and see TheWarStore.com, and if you like what you see, check out www.outriderhobbies.com/store. There will be a discount code, but I am hoping to just use it in the new store if we can get it done.

Finally, the Site will be REDONE!!!

2010-07-27T01:16:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone. If you didn't notice, both www.outriderhobbies.com and outriderhobbies.blogspot.com are getting a facelift this week. Please allow the dust to settle, and I am hoping that everything will be better than ever for my goal of August 1st.

Anyways, you can still get a hold of us at info@outriderhobbies.com, and the store is still open at www.outriderhobbies.com/store

Thanks for all your patience.

Bryan

PS - If you didn't listen to it yet, I did a podcast with Adam from "Chance of Gaming". You can find it at chanceofgaming.blogspot.com

Cutting With A Laser

2010-06-12T10:29:00.003-07:00

This has been a CRAZY week. I have cut foam for four days now, and I'm STILL not finished. I am producing about 200 trays to fill orders, and create a small amount of backstock.

Anyways, if you have placed an order in the last few weeks, it should be ready soon. I am planning on getting everyhthing ready for shipping on Monday.

Now, back to the salt mines...

No We Haven't Gone Away

2010-04-17T12:34:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone, just a quick post to let you know we are still here, still cutting foam, and about to have a big announcement.

I know there is a lot of curiosity about the lawsuit right now, and unfortunately there is not a lot I can say right now. I am fighting it, by myself for now as attorneys are not cheap, but it is going to take some time. I have filed a motion to dismiss the case due to an improper venue, and if not dismiss the case, at least move it to Arizona where the case should be heard. Paperwork is on it's way to the court now, and has been emailed and mailed to Battle Foam, LLCs attorney.

So in the mean time, we're still cutting foam, still having fun, still making plans for the future.

There is a big announcement that will come in about a week, we just have to get it prepared. Take some pictures, prep some marketing, and talk to the "Circle of Advisers" on options. Needless to say, we are very excited, and can't wait to show you what we have. Nothing revolutionary, but just a good bit of fun.

Thanks to all your comments, concerns, advice and support. Please keep it coming you have no idea how helpful it has been.

Where to Buy Foam Corps Trays

2010-03-18T10:24:00.003-07:00

Hey guys, just a quick post here that I probably should have done long ago. There are some great stores carrying Foam Corps, in case you don't like ordering online. Obviously it doesn't help everyone, but at least it's a start. Also, if you would like your store to start carrying them, please have them contact us at info@outriderhobbies.com, and I will get information to them about carrying the trays.

So without further delay, here are the stores currently carrying our products:

ARIZONA

Game Depot
3136 S McClintock Dr
Tempe, AZ
(480)966-4727

Gamers' Inn
1232 E Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ
(480)507-0509
www.gamersinnaz.com

Imperial Outpost Games
4920 W Thunderbird Rd
Phoenix, AZ
(602)978-0467
imperialoutpostgames.blogspot.com

Pennsylvania

Showcase Comics and Games
874 W Lancaster Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA
(610)527-6236

1067 W Baltimore Pike
Media, PA
(610)891-9229
www.showcasecomicsandgames.com

Texas

Little Wars of Houston
16920 Kuykendahl Rd
Houston, TX
(281)895-8833
www.littlewarsofhouston.com

Also, we are working with some other stores that should come online soon. We'll post when they are ready to go.

Happy Gaming!

New Trays on the Horizon

2010-03-02T02:38:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone!

Just stopping in to say that some new tray designs for 15mm World War II figures will be coming later this week. I have some Soviet stuff, a staff tray for the British, German, and Soviet Artillery. I know there are more things I can do, but I'm not sure what you all want. If there are any special requests, please let us know. In fact, customer requests are where most of our tray designs come from.

Also, a small progress report. We have increased sales EVERY month since November. Nothing huge mind you, but I think it says a lot about us. First, that we are still around, unlike what some people would have you believe. Second, that you like our products. There have been some repeat customers already. Very exciting. Third, that you trust us. You are willing to part with your hard earned cash, to a small, but up and coming enterprise.

So anyways, thanks. We'll keep up the good work.

New Policy For Foam Corps Custom Trays

2010-02-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, just a quick announcement about the new policy concerning custom Foam Corps tray orders from Outrider Hobbies.

From now on, all custom trays are the same price as trays that are already designed. That's right, no set up fees, no custom pricing, just pick the thickness of tray that you want, place your order, and we'll get with you to decide how you want the tray laid out.

In other words, need a custom 2" tray, $12.00. Want a custom 4" tray, $14.00. Just like all the other trays we offer, but now you get to pick the layout for the same price.

So, come see us at www.outriderhobbies.com/store. All trays are listed in the Foam Corps Section.

Dad of the Day Award

2010-02-13T13:18:00.002-07:00

Yep, I got that one today. I'm not claiming Dad of the Year, as I know I'm not that good, but I will take Dad of the Day.

I just got done spending a couple hours with my 9 year old son watching two episodes of Band of Brothers while working on models together. It was a fantastic two hours, and I'm glad I got to do it, and hope to do it more often.

Anyways, an explanation. A local game store decided to do some spring cleaning and offered a lot of Flames of War miniatures at 40% off. Well, I was at the store and looking at the models while waiting for my wife to show up and my 9 year old was looking too.

Well, he picked up a blister and got this look in his eye like he wanted to get it. He had NO idea what it was. Heck, I have no idea what it was. So I told him that unless he could tell me what it was, and why he would need it, he couldn't get it.

He was crushed.

I also didn't make a lot of sense. I think he thought I was making him justify why he would own it. I meant why he would need it in a game of Flames of War.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea. Well, a brilliant idea to me.

I was planning on getting myself a blister of US mortars. There was also a US Rifle Company boxed set there. Well for a normally $50 box, for only $30, I decided that I would get him his own army, with his own models. But I also determined that he would have to earn it.

Step 1) Clean his room. He cleaned it like a normal 9 year old. Move everything to the side, pile it up and make the floor visible. That was not good enough for the wife. She got him to do it right. It's been that way for a few days now.

Step 2) He needed to learn about an infantry division in order to be able to write a history when he goes to a tournament. I looked up the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) on Wikipedia, and made a 10 question quiz for him that he had to complete. He did pretty good. He got five right, I gave him partial credit on two as I wasn't clear on the questions, but that's not his fault. I also told him I was going to make more quizzes. I was shocked when he called me last night while I was at work, asking if I'd gotten it done. Seeing him motivated is awesome.

Anyways, life is good, we are planning on more time to work on models, and we are both very excited.

Site Redesign and Some News

2010-02-08T08:47:00.003-07:00

Well, the long awaited site redesign is underway. I'm running into a couple of hiccups, but that's ok as work is progressing. I'm sorry if anyone has been turned off by the current incarnation, it will be rectified shortly.

In other news, things are moving along quite well. Orders are starting to increase, and interest is picking up. Two of my sample kits are going out this week, which will hopefully result in two things. One, a new store in a new state carrying the Foam Corps line of trays. Two, a distributor carrying the Foam Corps line of trays, and hopefully that will help get Foam Corps into more locations.

So, look for Foam Corps to be coming to a store near you, and if you don't see it there, have the shop owner email me at info@outriderhobbies.com to see about getting it to them directly.

Happy Gaming!

New FOAM CORPS Trays!

2010-01-12T00:00:00.003-07:00

Wow, it feels like it's been a while since I have posted pictures of new trays. But I figured now was as good a time as any to announce some new products. But first, I have an announcement to make. As of now, the foam trays from Outrider Hobbies will be known as FOAM CORPS. The name is not going to be changed, except by court order.

For now, I will not regail you all with the details, but suffice it to say the name is here to stay.

Anyways, Outrider Hobbies now has foam tray designs for Firestorm: Armada.

I got this game as I loved Battlefleet Gothic back when GW was supporting all of their games. Everything I have heard and read since this game came out says that this game is BFG done better. Yes I say better as BFG is still a great game. But F:A has some great improvements.

How so? Two words...

BELLY UP!

One of the problems with playing with toy soldiers is incorporating the third dimension in games. The pieces can't fly themselves, and therefore, even in a space game, it's still a Blue Water naval game in a Black Space setting. I think the rule for belly up is a fantastic fix to this problem. Obviously it isn't perfect, but at least it is trying.

So, I haven't actually cut the trays themselves yet, as I am wanting to see what the demand is before I cut an entire sheet of 4" foam.

Each tray will hold the following models.

1 - Battleship
1 - Carrier
3 - Cruisers
6 - Frigates

Of course if you need a custom tray as well, just let us know. As always, these trays are sized for Sabol style cases. You can get bags from Sabol Designs here.

The following images show you the models in their cuts. I had a couple of blank trays I could use to test whether the cuts were the right size. Please excuse the one for the Dindrenzi carrier as I misplaced the cut path on the test tray. I guarantee that the final versions are laid out with plenty of room on the tray to prevent that from happening.

Finally as a special "new release" offer, all of the trays are available for $11.00 until Sunday January 17th. Sorry, no coupons on this offer.

Times They Are A Changin'

2010-01-04T13:05:00.002-07:00

New year, new projects, new opportunities.

So, we have been looking at where we are going with the company (me and my circle of advisers) and we are considering changing the name of our line of Foam Trays from Foam Corps to something else.

We are still in the name generating stage, and for the time being Foam Corps will stay, but we would like to have something new by the end of the month. Please feel free to comment as to your suggestions, and if we get enough, we might even have a contest to determine the winner. You all know I love giving stuff away.

So, let me know your thoughts, and we'll see what we can come up with.

'Cause we know you'd rather buy more models...

2009-12-29T00:51:00.003-07:00

Well, today is the first day of the future for Outrider Hobbies it seems. Our first banner ad has shown up at www.tabletopgamingnews.com.

In addition, it is the first debut of the current Outrider Hobbies slogan.

"Inexpensive foam trays... cause we know you'd rather buy more models"

In reality, that is what we are trying to do here. Our hobby is already one of the costliest out there, and I still don't really understand why. I firmly believe that there are more efficient ways to transport models than the traditional "Pick and Pluck", but I don't think you should go broke using them.

Believe me when I say, the day we find a way to make them cheaper, we'll pass the savings on. Until then though, we'll keep our prices low so that you can keep buying what you really want. That next army.

Who Want's A Christmas Present?

2009-11-28T11:44:00.002-07:00

So, who want's a Christmas present?

Outrider Hobbies is going to give one lucky girl or boy a present for Christmas. A set of custom cut foam. What do I mean by a set? Enough foam to fill a standard Army Transport from Sabol Designs, custom cut to your specifications.

Now, how do you qualify to get this gift?

1) Sign up for the Outrider Hobbies newsletter. You can find the link in the upper right corner both here on the blog or on the Official Site, www.outriderhobbies.com.

2) Be good until Christmas. No I have no way to check this, but it's Christmas.

3) Check your email Christmas morning. I will announce the winner at 12AM Christmas morning. I'm usually up late getting presents and what not ready for the kids, so I will email the winner and post it here before I go to bed.

Anyone in the mailing list at 11PM, Arizona Time, is eligible to win. No purchase is necessary, appreciated, but not necessary. Also, We are not affiliated with Sabol Designs, and their trademarks are used here without permission. I just really like their stuff, and think you should buy their bags.

Black Friday Is Here!

2009-11-26T19:31:00.002-07:00

Sorry for the delay folks, but I'm finally ready.

For black Friday, I am offering 25% off of all foam orders from now until November 30th. All you have to do is use the code BLACKFRI09 to receive your discount. If you need a custom order, this discount will apply to the final order price as well, even if we don't get the price finalized before the 30th.

In addition, in the US and Canada, if you order over $75 of merchandise, I will ship your order for free.

For the rest of the world, I wish I could offer free shipping, but unfortunately I can not. If you are outside of North America, please email me before placing your order and I will get you an accurate quote for shipping, and we will see what we can do to help ease the costs a bit.

And don't forget, Sabol Designs is having a sale on all of their merchandise as well. Head on over to www.saboldesigns.net to get yourself a new bag to go with the new foam.

Thanks for looking, and I hope to hear from all of you soon!

Black Friday -2

2009-11-25T11:07:00.002-07:00

OK, one more post before Thanksgiving.

In this one, I'm just posting a link to Sabol Designs. Why link to them instead of my discount code? Well, Sabol is offering 25% off of all of their products. Personally, I'm thinking about buying another couple of cases as they are a quality product, and if it weren't for them I wouldn't be in business.

So head on over, and get that new case you've been wanting.

Black Friday -5

2009-11-22T15:53:00.003-07:00

Wow, is it already five days until Thanksgiving here in the US?

I know I was going to get discount codes up Friday, but I have been working on the back end of the store, and I have learned some more about how I can offer some stacked discounts. Only problem is that it will take me a couple of days to get it all taken care of.

So short answer, I don't have them ready yet. I will have them ready by Wednesday.

Keep checking back as I will have it all posted as soon as I am ready.

In the mean time however, I have something new to announce. Another foam tray, not for a tabletop war game. This time it's for a card game. I had the idea after buying yet another copy of Munchkin. This time, Star Munchkin, which means I have Munchkin, Munchkin Bites, Munchkin Impossible, Star Munchkin, and Munchkin Cthulhu.

I got to thinking that whenever I want to play a game, I have to sort all the cards, before I can even shuffle the cards and setup to play. Most boxed card games come with some sort of organizer for when you put the cards away, but Munchkin seems to be the exception.

So after some experimentation, this is what I came up with.

So how well does it work? I don't know you tell me?

In this picture are the following: Munchkin, Munchkin 2: Unnatural Axe, Munchkin 6: Demented Dungeons, Munchkin Dice, 2x Munchkin Silver Pieces, and 1 d6. I can probably even fit a couple more expansions in here if I took out the dice, but the nice thing is that the level dice do fit in the accessory storage compartment. They don't all fit perfectly, but you can easily get four of them in there and still have room for the d6 and the Silver Pieces.

If you would like one of your own, you can purchase it here.

Black Friday -10

2009-11-16T19:00:00.003-07:00

10 days to go and I have a question for you all.

There are two options I am considering for a Black Friday sale.

1) A flat discount that will be applied to the order.

2) Free shipping in the US and Canada, and a reduced rate for the rest of the world.

So comment on the thread and let me know what you all would prefer.

Also, please sign up for the Outrider Hobbies newsletter so we can let you know about further specials, offers, and exciting updates.

Upcoming Black Friday Sale

2009-11-12T13:43:00.003-07:00

So in the great tradition of Black Friday here in the US, Outrider Hobbies will be having a Black Friday sale. New items, great prices, great customer service.

Yes this is just a teaser while we work out the details. Final announcement will be made on Friday the 20th.

Thanks!

I Just Need to Say Thanks

2009-11-11T10:23:00.002-07:00

So today is Veterans Day in the US, and it got me thinking about a discussion that took place on a mailing list that I'm on with some local Flames of War players.

With the recent announcement of Flames of War: Vietnam, there has been a bit of a debate about whether we would play it or not. Some of the debate has centered around the appropriateness of the setting, some has been about the historical aspect of the game.

I am personally interested in FoW: Vietnam because of the historical aspect. So many times when Vietnam is brought up it seems like the focus is put on the controversy and the protests about the war, not the battles or the soldiers involved.

All in all that made me think about how we think about and remember the people that have decided to stand on a wall, man a post, and put themselves between us and harms way. Be it a soldier in a desert or jungle far away, or a police officer out on patrol. If you are one of them, I say thank you. If you are not, I ask that you thank them as well.

Kicking Open Doors - Redux!

2009-11-08T01:13:00.001-07:00

The doors of the store are open now.

I know there are some bugs in the shopping cart, and some default text that came with the installation, but the checkout feature works, and is ready for you to make purchases.

If you are interested in learning more about custom Foam Corps trays please email us at sales@outriderhobbies.com, or check out our blog at outriderhobbies.blogspot.com to see some of the new things we are working on

So thanks again for visiting, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Almost Ready

2009-10-31T10:59:00.002-07:00

OK, I know updates are slow in coming, but I wanted to stop in and let you know that things are moving. The online store is almost ready, I just have a few more things to do in order to make sure that everything is secure and in place for everyone to place orders.

The site is also coming due for an update. Not an overhaul, just an update.

I appreciate all of your patience while I work on the various projects required to get the store up and running.

And finally, as a bit of a teaser, I will be announcing some new products for the Board Game line soon after the store goes up. I'll let you all guess as to which games.

So anyways, I look forward to providing everyone great products, great service, and some very interesting times.

A Sort Of Announcement

2009-10-21T09:34:00.002-07:00

Well, it has been a bit rocky around the blog lately. I realize the updates have been rather slow, and I just wanted to take a minute to explain why.

I have been spending most of my time working on the web-store, and also figuring out how I want to move forward with Outrider Hobbies and the Corps line of products.

Anyways, I'll try to get some new pictures up next time I post, which if all goes well, should be Friday.

And I am planning on opening the web-store VERY soon. Just need to clean up a bit, polish the counters, and clean the windows. In a virtual sense of course.

What a Week

2009-10-16T11:32:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone. Sorry for the lack of updates.

I just wanted to check in and let you know how things are going.

As I said in my last post, last weekend we attended Rincon in Tucson, AZ. I only got to be there for a couple of hours due to prior commitments, but I had some assistants who were kind enough to help out for the day. All in all it was a good experience. It was a really small convention, but I think it will do well in the long run.

This week has been sort of slow on the foam cutting front as we have been working on organizing some things so that as we move forward we will not be flying by the seat of our pants so much. In addition, the webstore is almost ready to go live. It has been needed for a long time, but life has gotten in the way. Trust me it will be up soon.

So, for the mean time, if you would like to know more about what we do, or what we can make for transporting your miniatures, please email us at sales@outriderhobbies.com. Otherwise I'll be back to more regular blog posts next week. Thanks again for visiting.

LET'S GET READY FOR RINCONNNNN!!

2009-10-09T08:28:00.003-07:00

Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of updates this week. Heck, I don't even have a picture to share with you today. But we've been preparing for our first public appearance on the convention circuit.

Rincon is this weekend down in Tucson, AZ, and we were kind enough to be invited by one of the local shops down there, Hat's Games, to share some of their table space to show off our products. We will also be taking custom orders, discussing some of our future plans, and generally having a good time.

So, stop by and see us at the Hat's Games booth, and we'll all have a roaring good time!

Credit Where Credit Is Due

2009-10-04T23:35:00.002-07:00

So, I was thinking today as I worked on tray layouts for other people, I never did mention how you are supposed to carry them around.

I have been a long time user of the Sabol Designs Army Transport system. I've only ever had one bag. Not that I've only bought one style, but literally, one bag. For nine years.

Some people want to complain about the quality of the bag, or say that it can't hold up, but I disagree. I have had the same bag this whole time, and that has NEVER been an issue. I don't even baby my bag. I just treat it in a way that will let it survive another nine years. It is a quality product from an amazing company.

Now when I say I have only had the one bag, that is a bit untrue, since I ordered two new ones just the other day. Sabol Designs announced that they are having a "Stimulus Sale" on empty Motor Pool, Battalion, and Division bags through October 20th, 2009. I couldn't pass it up. I have a lot more models now, and a lot more foam (obviously), and I needed something to hold all of my stuff. The best part was that I got two Motor Pools for less than $60. I can't even get one regular army transport full of foam for that cheap.

Anyways, I just wanted to give a shout out to Matt Sabol and his team for the fine work they have done over the past decade, and even if I am competing with him in regards to the foam trays, I would still tell you all to buy his products over a competing brand.

So, if you don't have an Army Transport yet, check them out. I think it will be one of the best choices you can make in regards to protecting and carrying your army.

(PS - In the interest of full disclosure, I am neither endorsed by or working with Sabol Designs. Any references to trademarks or products of Sabol Designs are used without permission, and no infringement on those rights are intended. Seriously, he makes good stuff, stimulate his economy.)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to War I Go

2009-09-30T13:38:00.003-07:00

So I made these. Not sure if I like how it turned out, but it taught me a couple of things. One, I figured out the speeds for cutting 2" and 3" foam. Two, assembling larger trays. You know for like a Motor Pool.

Leave comments for this entry please. I'd like to know what you all think.

I'd like to know if you would use something like this, the layout, etc. In this set it will hold all of the desert hills, plus an entire set of terrain from the battlefield in a box for North Africa, from Flames of War.

My thought in making this was that if I am going to get my own terrain, I want to take care of it, especially when I take it to a friends house or the local shop to play.

The Pressure is KILLING ME!

2009-09-28T10:36:00.004-07:00

Hah! Just kidding. It's actually really interesting. I am loving almost all of the stuff I've been doing.

So the real reason for the title of this post is that some revies of my product from people I don't know are starting to come in. They are generally happy with it, so that is good. I've realized some changes I have to make, so that is good too.

Anyways, so part of this discussion, someone wanted to know how well the trays would hold up stacked on top of each other. I figured I had the trays, why not show everyone.

So, what you are seeing here is 14 trays total. 8 1.5 inch, and 6 1 inch. They are full of Flames of war models. (Which you all probably guessed after reading this blog.) So each tray is not light. And as you can tell a 1" tray is taking the brunt of the pressure being on the bottom. Admittedly, not every tray is completely full, but I did try to empty out the cuts so that there wasn't any extra support.

I'd say it holds up pretty well. Even without getting specially formulated foam and basing material.

A Big Decision Looms

2009-09-27T10:11:00.002-07:00

That's really all I can say. I am still working, but this is going to be interesting.

Feedback is Cool

2009-09-26T08:23:00.002-07:00

So I sent out a bunch of trays as samples to get some audience feedback.

The first one came in last night. And while it was a decent review, it definitely made me think about how I'm making my trays. And I have to get a different basing material.

I think the current material will work well for thcker trays, but I definitely need something more ridgid for the thinner ones. Well, the nice thing is that I have to go talk to a supplier on monday, so finding one shouldn't be a problem.

Got to love feedback!

I Have Meeesed Wan!

2009-09-24T16:05:00.004-07:00

Yup, it was bound to happen sooner or later, but I missed a post. So I'm back now. Still dealing with nonsense, but that's ok. I'm not going to let it get me down.

So, I usually post about new foam trays that I have made. Not today. Today I am doing a review of the new terrain that I got for Flames of War.

So for those that don't know, Flames of War is a game based on World War II, and made by a company called Battlefront out of New Zealand. This has been where a lot of my gaming focus has been lately. The game is one set of rules, but three different time periods. Early, Middle, and Late War. Sort of frustrating as not everything is compatible accross the time periods, but it's a historical game. Wouldn't be a lot of fun to see a King Tiger rolling up against a French R35 since there was about 5 years of Research and Development between them.

When I got into Flames of War, the big push was Late War. (It still is, but that's a debate for another time.) As such, I never invested a lot of time researching or acquiring models for Mid-War. Well, a few weeks ago, Battlefront released North Africa. A monster tome of army lists and history for the North Africa/Italy portions of the war. Of course I picked it up.

So with this release, they also released some new terrain from Gale Force 9. Three different hill sets, and some sandbag entrenchment markers. So here's my review.

First the hills. I like them. They look exactly like the picture shows. But what you don't see is the felt lined bottom on all of them. This was a nice addition. I was a little disappointed in that one of them didn't fit and was hanging over the edge of the hill, but it won't be hard to trim it up before it starts pulling the rest of it off. One person I asked online said that the hills would need some drybrushing to finish them up, but I'm not sure I agree. I think the drybrushing is fine, I'm going to go in and add some "dry" static grass to mine. It's not really needed, but I think it will add a nice touch.

One complaint I have had from some people I've talked to is that there are no pictures of the hills with models on or around them. I completely agree. So since I have the hills I took some pictures of them with a rifle stand and a tank. Yes I realize that the rifle team isn't finished yet, but since my others have a brown base, I thought the gray would contrast better so you can get an idea.

Large Hill

Large Hill Close Up - Better to see the size of the hill compared to a tank.

Small Hill 1 Close Up

Small Hill 2 Close Up

Two Part Hill

Now I do have one negative thing to say. The join on the two part hill doesn't line up right. It seems like they put some sort of foam on the bottom of the hills and it caused it to misalign. Not sure if there is a way to fix it either.

So, all in all, I was happy. A couple of minor disappointments, but what do you expect from mass production, it's not going to be perfect every time.

Also, Battlefront is planning on releasing some "woodland" hills based on the same mold, but with a packet of green static grass. For the same price, but these will be released to stores and not sold exclusivly online from my understanding.

So, if you need some terrain, I'd recommend these. $20 a piece for prepainted, ready to play out of the box hills suitable for any scale.

Alllll-Righty Then!

2009-09-21T21:13:00.005-07:00

So, after this weekend, I have decided. I am not going to quit. I will not give my competition the satisfaction of me slinking off with my tail between my legs. I will not go into details, but I am in the tray making business for the long haul. If I succeed, it is because I have done so of my own accord. If I fail, it will be because of my own failings.

I will not be bullied. I will not be intimidated. I have friends who love and care for me, and wish me to succeed. They will lift me up, and I will thank them at every turn for the support they give me. This is not over. It is just beginning. And I'm having a BLAST!

So, with that said, A NEW TRAY!!! I know I keep promising pictures, and I really need to keep posting them. From now on, one new picture with every post.

This new tray is another tray suitable for use with Flames of War. I recently purchased the Entrenchments and Log Barricade boxes. Of course, I had to make a tray for them. Now the best part is that I have two sets of Sandbags coming on Thursday. In all I will have 24 "large" and 8 "small" dug in markers. Now, when I was preparing the tray, I figured out I could make 12 "large" and 8 "small" cuts, thinking that I would put one marker in each cut, and use two trays for all my markers.

Well, after doing some extra measuring, I found that each marker is only about 1/2" tall. I don't buy that thickness of foam. So what to do? I decided to stack them. Needless to say, I can get all 24 "large" and 8 "small" markers in one tray. I was VERY excited. Especially because the cuts came out perfect. Might need a little more room, but I'm happy with it the way it is.

Also, just to repost it, here is my review of the markers themselves.

Ok so a quick review from my phone. Got these today and I figured those
that haven't would like some more info.

So first, fairly cheap. I like the price for what you get. Breaks down to about $2.50 per piece. Pretty fair price in my mind.

Second a good ammount. Not enough for all rifle platoons in a company, but I should have enough with the sandbags coming next week. And I might just get another set to have 18 "forrest" ones and maybe get some more desert too.

Finally for the good stuff, a bit of a personal side I know the sculptor. Really good guy. Not bad sculpts either, pretty detailed. Might have been nice to have more "stuff" on them, but not really a game changer.

Now I do have one negative, but its a small one. I'm not sure the paint job was
necessary. Its great for me as I probably never would have finished them, but
its nothing to write home about. I could easily have done it myself and would have rather saved the money to buy more sets. There is even one entrenchment that looks like I will have to touch it up a bit as the drybrush was a bit sloppy.
So overall three against one isn't bad odds. I will definitely be happy with the purchase for some time to come. Now if only I could play more...

There Are More Nice People Than You Know

2009-09-18T08:17:00.002-07:00

You know, with life kicking me while I'm down. I have found quite a lot of people who want to help me to my feet. All of them, because of the kindness they seem to have naturally. Many, out of their own pockets. No that they have given me money, but at times that they have given me time, which could have been used to earn money.

I don't want to name names right now. There are some other issues that require I keep them to myself, but I hope every one realizes that I am grateful to them.

And watch this space. More to come!

It's Really Old Now

2009-09-17T10:04:00.001-07:00

It's really annoying when you fall down and life decides to kick you in the junk while you're there. Repeatedly.

Just saying...

Woot! Keeping my goals!

2009-09-16T12:08:00.003-07:00

So, I have to say, I am impressed with myself. At least a little bit. Sort of.

I have decided to post at least on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If I sneak in some extra posts, so be it, but that's the minimum I want to do.

Anyways, so I have to say, It feels good to be meeting some goals. I realize it's only been a week, but still. It doesn't mean I can't look forward to other goals.

Like trays. I have a goal for my foam trays. I want to sell 5000 by Christmas. I know, very ambitious, but sometimes you have to make a goal that will push you. Now, I do have some ideas on how to do it. And it will require a TON of work. But isn't that the purpose of goals? To push you to do better than you thought you could?

So needless to say, I will be posting pictures of my newest trays soon. I've got a lot of trays for Flames of War, some for Games Workshop, but best of all, I have a new "big announcement". I won't be posting the announcement until October, at the earliest, but have no fear, this will be COOL!

So, thanks for reading. Stop by any time, and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter. I will be sending out promo codes and other announcements with it, and who want's to be left out of discounts.

I Have 45 Minutes To Post Something

2009-09-14T23:13:00.002-07:00

OK, I really am going to try and post regularly. Mostly it will be about my business, Outrider Hobbies, but occasionally, like today, I will post about life and what not.

The reason I say that, is that I had some friends over last night to hang out and play some games. I haven't seen them in months, mainly because of my new work schedule, but it was a friend I had missed a lot in the mean time.

Anyways, the best part of the evening was when my wife actually told them she liked it when I was cutting foam for the trays, as I got excited and creative. And you know what, she's right.

No matter what anyone says, I'm making the trays for fun. Yes I want a successful business, but in the end, I want to have fun with it. My products are about providing added value to my customers, without ruining their budget, and with just a bit of fun thrown in.

Needless to say, after some experimenting next week, I am going to have A LOT of fun moving forward. And as a hint, "I spy with my little eye, something..... RED."

Foam for Games

2009-09-11T10:52:00.004-07:00

So this is the first of many upcoming foam storage solutions for boardgames that have a large ammount of miniatures.

This set is for the recently released 3rd edition of Space Hulk from Games Workshop. There are two trays in this set, one for the miniatures, another for the additional components of the game. Both trays are sized so that they fit in the box.

The first tray is pretty self explanitory. Places for all the miniatures.

The second tray is what really makes this set stand out against any others. Instead of just two big compartments for you to throw everything into the box and not protect the corridors, there are compartments for all the additional components. There are two compartments for the corridors, two for the small rooms, and one for the large rooms.

The only exception is the largest room and the control panel. Due to the size of these, I just place them on top of the foam, same with the rulebooks.

So, if you would like a set, please email me at sales@outriderhobbies.com. The cost is $30 plus shipping, and are available to order now.

Before I Move Forward, I'd Just Like To Say

2009-09-09T09:27:00.001-07:00

"The marking of an article as patented when it is not in fact patented is against the law and subjects the offender to a penalty. Some persons mark articles sold with the terms "Patent Applied For" or "Patent Pending." These phrases have no legal effect, but only give information that an application for patent has been filed in the Patent and Trademark Office. The protection afforded by a patent does not start until the actual grant of the patent."

Taken from the US Patent Office Website. You can read the whole thing here

Just Saying...

Sorry For The Lack of Updates

2009-07-13T11:30:00.001-07:00

OK, I thought I would be ready on the 4th of July, but I was wrong, and it has been an insane week since. But there is good news.

First, I have reached a tentative agreement with the owner of the laser cutter that I have been using to get more access to the machine without having to worry about time schedules. I will be getting less sleep I think, but I will be able to get more done.

Second, I am grateful for all the support I have been recieving from the community. I know I haven't pushed myself out there that much, but I am trying. Unfortunately I have to go slower than I would like to because of the fact that I am a much smaller operation and I don't have the free time I would like.

So, the announcement will come, but it will take a bit longer than expected.

Just a Quick Announcement

2009-06-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Big announcement on the 4th of July. Come back then.

Change Is Coming

2009-06-18T13:26:00.002-07:00

Well, things are moving along at Outrider Hobbies. The new site is almost done, the new online store is almost done, and we are moving closer to getting our own laser cutting machine. Also, this weekend I will be posting more pictures of the trays that we have available. Just so you can have a better idea of what it is that we are doing.

Anyways, if you are in Arizona, and would like an idea of what all the fuss is about, I should be playnig a game of Flames of War this weekend with my Germans. I'll post when and where if I get to go.

Two Things

2009-06-15T09:08:00.003-07:00

1) I am trying to raise money to for a down payment my own laser cutter/engraver. I hate to sound like a beggar, but I have a great opportunity, and need to secure about 20% as a down payment so I can get a loan for the rest of the cost. Short answer, I can get about $9700 off of the $32000 price during the month of June.

More information here:
http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-06-15.0131555462

2) The first of many contests from Outrider Hobbies. No purchase necessary. All you need to do is sign up for the Outrider Hobbies Newsletter (the link is in the upper right corner of this blog). The winner (or winners, haven't decided yet) will recieve two custom cut foam trays after I purchase my laser. If you don't need any foam, yet you are the winner, we can talk about a suitable replacement.

Anyways, thanks for listening to my rants.

More Ammo Can Goodness

2009-06-07T22:42:00.002-07:00

So after a failed attempt to glue foam together today, my production manager and I did some pre-production work on the two other ammo cans that I have for future case making.

First up is my long awaited "Fat-50" or "SAW box". About 1-2 inches larger in all directions, this is going to be a very good figure carrying option. I even tested a Space Marine Land Raider (the biggest "normal" model for gaming I could think of) in the bottom of the box, and it fit with room to spare. So now, this week I am going to cut some foam and see what we can do with it.

Next up is the 20mm ammo can. This is about the same size as Sabol Designs Army Transport, but a little bit longer. So I'm not too sure what I want to do with this one, as it is not as easy to carry since there is no handle on top.

So, we'll see what happens when I get to the laser this week.

And hopefully I'll have one more surprise for you all as well.

Flames of War Command

2009-06-04T09:18:00.002-07:00

Wow, I almost forgot to say thanks on Monday to the owner of Flames of War Command for linking to my post about the Ammo Can.

He's got a great new site about Flames of War with a lot of content already. From getting started guides, to starter army lists, and even strategy guides. Make sure you check him out at www.flamesofwarcommand.com.

More Fun With Foam

2009-06-02T13:43:00.007-07:00

So, I have been working on these for a while, and I am now ready to show some more off. All of the trays were made by me with a laser engraver. They are also correctly sized for the cases they were designed for. ie Army Transport foam is 7.5"x13", .50cal ammo cans are 5.5"x11".

First up, here is the tray I made for my Army Transport bag. It will hold 18 medium bases and 8 small. The best part is that I was able to eliminate the need for one tray from my bag. Yeah, not a ton of space, but it adds up.

Next up are 1.5" trays for Tanks. I went with 1.5" since I leave my turrets on my tanks in the bag. Of course I have come to realize that I need to magnetize the turrets, but I have been wanting to do that anyways. (And I find it hillarious that Battlefront included them with the new King Tiger platoon box.)

This first tray is for all of my American tanks. There is enough room for the company commander and 2ic, two full platoons of M4 Shermans, one full platoon of M4A1 Shermans (76mm), and a full platoon of M5A1 Stuarts. But if you don't need Stuarts, let me know and I can replace them with another tank type. In this picture you can see the small pieces of foam put in the Stuart compartments so that they sit a little higher and are easier to get out of the tray.

This next tray is based off of the one above, but is designed for the .50 cal ammo box. As a test for future use I used the tray for the following. Six M7 Priests, one Sherman Observer, and one M3 Half-track for my Self-Propelled Field Artillery Battery. I can also still hold four M4 Shermans and 4 M4A1 Shermans (76mm).

Next up we have a 1.5" tray that is part of a two part set for towed US artillery. These trays are used in my Army Transport and measures 7.5"x13". The trays are designed for two 105mm and one 155mm artillery units. The first part (not shown) has cut outs for 12 large bases commonly used for artillery. In other words, very boring. The companion tray however is the exciting part. There are enough compartments for all the necessary trucks, tractors, staff teams, command teams, observer teams, jeeps and finally an air observation post. This was done on a 1.5" tray because of the trucks and tractors, but a simple solution to the deep compartments is to cut the foam so the smaller figures sit a bit higher.

As always, feel free to email me if you would like to know more, or are interested in some for yourself at sales@outriderhobbies.com. The web store should be launched in about a week, so stay tuned for more information.

An Army Transport, In An Army Can

2009-05-30T11:49:00.007-07:00

So, I've been working on laser cut foam trays to carry your army around more efficiently.

I have been asking friends and associates what sort of things they would like to use, so I'm not just creating things I think are useful.

Anyways one of the suggestions that I had was to make trays that would fit in a standard army surplus ammunition can. I'd sat on the idea for a month or so, and for some reason it struck me this week that I should do it.

A couple of things to keep in mind. First, this was tailored to the army I am thinking about running in our local Flames of War Bagration campaign. So I can do other things, this was just what I used to try the idea out. Second, this isn't necessarily a production model, just a proof of concept trial. I have a couple of ideas I am going to try out, mostly for getting the trays in and out of the can easier.

So without further delay, I present "An Army Transport In An Army Can"

This first picture is of the can closed. As you can see it's a standard ammo can, used for M16 ammunition. Rather small for Warhammer armies, but as you will see, just GREAT for Flames of War.

This second picture is of the can open. Obviously. The first tray is an empty 1" tray for medium and small based teams for Flames of War. In this case, 12 Medium and 3 Small.

A close up of the 1" tray with models in it. Yes I know they aren't painted, but at least when they are they will have a cool way to get to the store for a game.

A close up of the 1.5" Tray used for 13 Sd Kfz 251 Half-tracks, 2 8.8cm Pak43 Anti-tank guns, and 2 Sd Kfz 7 Half-tracks for the 8.8cm Flak36 guns on the next tray.

And the last 1.5" tray used for the two 8.8cm Flak36, 2 Konigstigers, the field car for the Flak36s, the comand teams for the Flak36s and the Pak43s, and my two objective markers.

And finally a group shot of everything together.

So, there you have it an Army Transport in an Army Can. I'm very excited about the possibilities here, and yes there will be more posts and updates as the project moves forward. If you would like to know more, please email me at sales@outriderhobbies.com.

Kicking the Doors Open

2009-02-18T21:32:00.004-07:00

Well, the time has come. Plans are in motion. The game is afoot. H-hour has arrived. However you want to say it, Outrider Hobbies is starting operations today.

We are starting with the Outrider Hobbies Fire Sale. This is for a couple of reasons. First, I want to help a friend who ended up with a lot of games, and needs a way to get rid of them. This can mean great deals for you, and help us get started without going into debt.

Second, Outrider Hobbies is going to be a debt free business. Too many people think the only way to start a business is to get a loan to cover their startup costs, get equipment, and try to survive. This is a bad move since it also means that instead of being able to reinvest the profits in the business they have to pay of their debt.

Over the next few months I hope to make enough from the fire sale, that I will be able to purchase the needed equipment to start branching out and moving Outrider Hobbies the way we want it to go. For now, production will be outsourced, and I hope to have pictures of the first products up soon. (For the record, laser cutting machines are tricky.)

For now, check out the store, look around, and let me know what you like, what can improve, and if you have any ideas of something you would like to see. We can be reached at outriderhobbies [@] gmail [.] com, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

One final VERY important thing that we want everyone to know. If you have a Friendly Local Game Store (FLGS for short), make sure you support them. If we have it, there is a good chance that they do too. Games will be on the site, but that is not going to be our primary focus. Check with your FLGS, they could use the support. Of course if you don't have an FLGS, and you're looking for something, let us know, and maybe we can get it for you.

So, thanks for coming. Make sure you check out the store at http://www.outriderhobbies.com/.

Also, by reading the blog, there are two discount codes you can use.

For starters you can add some LEAVES to the fire for 5% off an order of $50. Or try tossing a DRYLOG on the fire for 10% off an order of $75 or more. Or you can pour GASOLINE on the fire for 15% off an order of $150 or more.

Oh and if you order at least $100, I'll ship it to you for free.

Names

2008-08-13T00:41:00.002-07:00

OK, one more post before bed.

There is a reason for almost all the names that are on this blog, or will be on this blog, and none are chosen randomly.

Outrider Hobbies - So named for my 6 year stint as an Outrider for Games Workshop. If you don't know what games workshop is, go here.

The Funmaker - This is from my days playing a game online called "The Dark Age of Camelot". One day I logged on and said to my guild, "THE FUNMAKER HAS ARRIVED!" Just like that. And for some wierd reason that even I don't know, the name actually stuck. I also think it's appropriate since I always attempt to get other people to try a new game, and not just play the 300 bazillionth game of Taboo.

First Post

2008-08-13T00:03:00.001-07:00

OK, first things first.

Many different things will show up in this blog. This isn't just a blog to say how wonderful my family is (h/t Carly). Not to say they aren't, but they deffinitely aren't perfect. Heck I can set a good example about something. If we need one of those, I will let my wife do it as she is much better about chronicling the events of our life.

So that being said, what is this blog about?

If you know me you can guess what the primary topic will be. Go on, guess. I'll wait right here while the hampsters spin that wheel up.

Ready?

OK, the primary topic of course will be games. I love games. All kinds of games. Board, Card, Miniature, Computer, Video, etc. I like games. So I'm going to talk about game news, things I found out while playing a game, current projects, and so forth. There are a lot of really cool things happening in the game industry these days, so I'm going to talk about what I think will be fun and or interesting.

Also, as the product lines for Outrider Hobbies begin to develop, I will be talking about what is coming up, and what new things are available in the store. We will have some great product launches coming up, so keep checking back.

OK, so that's what you are going to see most of around here. Some my own work, some linked from others, but hopefully all interesting.